'The Thick of It' to return this Autumn

DeepBlue · 21-10-2012 04:04PM

Just out of curiosity did every single one of them lie before the enquiry?

Mannion lied when he denied having leaked about the real issue being the leaking of Tickel's medical records.
Terri and Glenn both lied about being the source of the PFI email leak.
Malcolm obviously lied about being involved in the medical record leaks.
I'd have to rewatch to see where the others were obviously lying.

Robin was hilarious though. The enquiry would probably have go to the bottom of everything if they just questioned her on her own.

21-10-2012 04:47PM

Was that the last episode?

DeepBlue · 21-10-2012 05:11PM

The finale is next week. Back to 30 mins afaik.

Agent Smith · 21-10-2012 08:17PM

Easily the Least amount of swearing :pac:

steve_r · 21-10-2012 08:51PM

I've just caught up on this series over the past week, so wanted to chime in on this thread.

The back-and-forth format was a bit strange to begin with but it looks to me like the eventual goal was to get to the inquiry stage.

I enjoyed this episode, though the tone did vary hugely, from Stewart's inaneness and Robyn's stupidity to the opposite end of the spectrum, where Malcolm is cornered, and the eventual closing monologue.

I dunno where they'll go with the final episode, I'll be sad to see this series go.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 21-10-2012 09:33PM

i liked it, started off a bit slow.. plenty of laughs though. robyn and terry, glenn and olli.. glad to see the two of them finally come to blows (sort of)

i dont know how it will stand up to rewatching though. every other ep of the show im sure I could rewatch easily, I've already watched seasons 1-3 4-5 times but that episode.. as interesting as it was, unless it all ties in massively to the events of the final episode I can see myself skipping it every now and again when I'm rewatching TTOI and just not in the mood.

blatantrereg · 22-10-2012 01:21AM

I liked it. The series as been relying very much on the streams of put-downs for comedy, and I've started to find that a bit tiresome, even if the odd one is very funny. This episode was a bit different and that was refreshing.

Reekwind · 24-10-2012 03:10PM

This episode has been bothering me since the weekend and I think the problem was Malcolm. Or maybe everyone else

What disconcerted me was just how frank Malcolm was, how he casually owned up (boasted, almost) of shafting Nicola. Granted, this was all set up so that we could end on a Big Malcolm Rant but it jarred with everyone else's behaviour and a lot of what we know about Malcolm 'I'm not the story' Tucker. Doesn't sit right; particularly not with everyone else, save Robyn, in stonewalling mode

Mind you, when he did get his comeuppance (admittedly, in a slightly contrived manner) it was absolutely priceless to see him lost for words

steve_r · 25-10-2012 10:00AM

Reekwind wrote: »

This episode has been bothering me since the weekend and I think the problem was Malcolm. Or maybe everyone else

What disconcerted me was just how frank Malcolm was, how he casually owned up (boasted, almost) of shafting Nicola. Granted, this was all set up so that we could end on a Big Malcolm Rant but it jarred with everyone else's behaviour and a lot of what we know about Malcolm 'I'm not the story' Tucker. Doesn't sit right; particularly not with everyone else, save Robyn, in stonewalling mode

Mind you, when he did get his comeuppance (admittedly, in a slightly contrived manner) it was absolutely priceless to see him lost for words

Yeah, that's fair enough now that you mention it. Not like Malcolm to like leaving his figerprints visible, especially in an inquiry of all places!

Maybe this is the seeds of his downfall? He's so caught up in the double standards of the inquiry that he implicates himself? Maybe.

Wish this wasn't on Saturday, I'm going to miss it so I'll be anxious to catch up on Sunday

brian_t · 25-10-2012 11:49AM

As has been mentioned earlier - this is probably the last series.

The Thick Of It writer Ian Martin suggests via Twitter that the current series of the BBC political satire is indeed to be its last...

This isn't a scoop, more confirmation of a well-rehearsed rumour. The Thick Of It's creator, Armando Iannucci, announced in September that the current series of the show would likely be its final outing, feeling that all possible avenues had been explored by the satire. Those who've followed the tightly plotted fourth season can attest that things seem to be moving towards an end-of-days finale on Saturday October the 27th, after this weekend's sixty-minute inquiry special.

Following yesterday's party for those involved in making the programme, writer and 'swearing consultant' Ian Martin delivered the following tweet:
"Feeling quite f_ _king emotional about last night's Thick cast and crew do. Last time we'll be together, last time any of us will be in TVC."

Comedian Chris Addison, who plays political advisor Ollie Reeder and who made his The Thick Of It directing debut in the previous episode, responded with:
"It was quite a thing, wasn't it? Sad, joyous, and what a way to leave TVC."

Both of which comments seem fairly conclusive, though we hope we're not mad in clinging to the hope that a special or two in future years may still be a possibility. If that isn't the case though, then a standing ovation goes to everyone involved for bringing us seven years of simply outstanding television. Bravo.

http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-thick-of-it/23116/the-thick-of-it-series-4-to-be-its-last

Skid · 27-10-2012 10:26PM

Disappointed by the final episode. It was an anti-climax. Some good lines, as always, but Malcolm just went with barely a whimper. I hoped he would have raged until the bitter end.

astrofool · 27-10-2012 11:09PM

Skid wrote: »

Disappointed by the final episode. It was an anti-climax. Some good lines, as always, but Malcolm just went with barely a whimper. I hoped he would have raged until the bitter end.

Isn't that the point of it though. Malcolm and Stuart gone in on day and

"It doesn't matter".

fruvai · 27-10-2012 11:20PM

I thought that Malcolm's exit was executed fairly well, you almost felt sorry for the guy (some great acting from Peter Capaldi, his face at the end said more than a page worth of profanities could have)
Glenn's outburst was Classic Cullen

Andersonisgod · 27-10-2012 11:24PM

Like Astrofool says, that was the point, in the grand scheme of things it didn't matter. The show started with Tucker firing an inept minister and ended with him being pushed out.

It was quality though, Tucker attempting to find a backdoor out of the police station only to end up amongst the rubbish, literally and then chasing down the taxi was some classic stuff. Some terrific acting all round and some killer lines, few shows can boast a final episode than The Thick of It's.

johnny_ultimate · 28-10-2012 03:07AM

Almost every character got the ending they deserved. Malcolm's sad final rant before his frustrated defeat. Glenn's beautifully awkward exit speech (and subsequent moral surrender). Nicola being interviewed by a pork chop...

Life at DOSAC and opposition HQ goes on. The lies, the corruption, the incompetence, the daily mini-scandals... It seems anti climactic, but thematically it's as appropriate as could be. Sayonara, The Thick of It, the most scathing of all televisual satires.

One disappointment for the season though: The F***er didn't make his much anticipated return after his glorious single scene at the end of season three

fruvai · 28-10-2012 03:28AM

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

One disappointment for the season though: The F***er didn't make his much anticipated return after his glorious single scene at the end of season three

I was more disappointed that we didn't see an appearance from the crossest man in Scotland

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 28-10-2012 01:59PM

manions face when stewart got fired

I will see that in my best dreams.

heebusjeebus · 28-10-2012 02:56PM

One of the best lines was saved for the final episode
Directed at Terri;

One of the many, many things that baffles me about you is that you remain unmurdered

Hande hoche! · 28-10-2012 09:37PM

Great episode. Sad to see it end but at least it went out well. Glenn's fair well speech was brilliant and Malcom had some fantastic lines. Peter Mannion was probably my favourite character in the end. In particular as mentioned his reaction to what happened to Stuart.

pixelburp · 28-10-2012 10:05PM

At first I figured myself unhappy with the ending, but then when I thought about a little more, it actually made complete sense: for all controversy, the angry speechifying and posturing, the wheels of political life kept turning as if nothing had happened. Malcolms arrest ultimately means nothing, ditto Glenns rant & even Stuarts sacking (though like everyone else, loved Mannions reaction), they're all just footnotes in the endless cycle. In fact I'd say Malcolm was the only person who truly realised that, it seemed that way when he backed off from making a speech to the press; he knew it ultimately it be a waste of time. That last scene in DoSAC summed it all up in particular; each day is just a sequence of mini-crises, that quickly erase what little good is done.

steve_r · 28-10-2012 10:52PM

pixelburp wrote: »

At first I figured myself unhappy with the ending, but then when I thought about a little more, it actually made complete sense: for all controversy, the angry speechifying and posturing, the wheels of political life kept turning as if nothing had happened. Malcolms arrest ultimately means nothing, ditto Glenns rant & even Stuarts sacking (though like everyone else, loved Mannions reaction), they're all just footnotes in the endless cycle. In fact I'd say Malcolm was the only person who truly realised that, it seemed that way when he backed off from making a speech to the press; he knew it ultimately it be a waste of time. That last scene in DoSAC summed it all up in particular; each day is just a sequence of mini-crises, that quickly erase what little good is done.

+1

I think the abrupt change from the previous episode threw me at the start, but it warmed up quickly from there.

The only weird thing for me was Ollie, I never thought he'd end up in the Malcolm role, was kind of expecting someone like Jamie to show up to kick him around some more.

As much as I think the theme was spot on (which is why I quoted pixelburp) I thought the pacing was a little off, and I thought it would have worked better to end with the Malcolm scene. But then maybe that would have undermined the theme. I dunno.

P.S Loved the scene with Nicola and Helen in the taxi - "I've loads of places to f*ck off to" and then the awkward silence between them.

Skid · 29-10-2012 05:03PM

Skid wrote: »

Disappointed by the final episode. It was an anti-climax. Some good lines, as always, but Malcolm just went with barely a whimper. I hoped he would have raged until the bitter end.

I watched the final episode again, and I enjoyed it a lot more second time. I had been expecting Malcolm to make a last stand, but in retrospect the 'what's the point?' finale probably was an appropriate way to sign off.

Shame to see it finish. There is nothing like it on television (In theory Veep should be like it, but isn't in the same league)

Stompbox · 29-10-2012 06:01PM

That was a terrific finale, might just have to order the boxset and check out the Specials!

missdisco · 30-10-2012 12:10AM

Reekwind wrote: »

This episode has been bothering me since the weekend and I think the problem was Malcolm. Or maybe everyone else

What disconcerted me was just how frank Malcolm was, how he casually owned up (boasted, almost) of shafting Nicola. Granted, this was all set up so that we could end on a Big Malcolm Rant but it jarred with everyone else's behaviour and a lot of what we know about Malcolm 'I'm not the story' Tucker. Doesn't sit right; particularly not with everyone else, save Robyn, in stonewalling mode

Mind you, when he did get his comeuppance (admittedly, in a slightly contrived manner) it was absolutely priceless to see him lost for words

But then there was than one at the leveson inquiry who was cocky and braggish about what he'd done, so it was certainly plausible that someone would act like that.

The speechless ending though. That was excellent.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 30-10-2012 12:24AM

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

manions face when stewart got fired

I will see that in my best dreams.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mclonueIfX1qca6mzo1_500.gif

FloatingVoter · 04-11-2012 06:49PM

Just after catching up on the last two episodes. As Sir Digby said - that firing was delightful. To anybody who has the unfortunate business of encountering illiterate computer nerds that insist on mangling the English language - perfect.

As for Malcolm and the inquiry - all people who rule their own little world get their comeuppance usually at their own hand. It happened to Napoleon and Hitler. Great acting on Capaldi's part.

I now wish to see Enda Kenny being interviewed by a carrot for some odd reason.

Harry Palmr · 07-06-2019 07:27PM

TheThick of it series three from 2009 is starting on BBC Scotland Thursday 10.30. episode one has a treat for all Tucker fans.

Samuel T. Cogley · 07-06-2019 07:33PM

Harry Palmr wrote: »

TheThick of it series three from 2009 is starting on BBC Scotland Thursday 10.30. episode one has a treat for all Tucker fans.

I was going to swear at you for necro posting and making me think this was coming back this autumn but I'm not sure the joke would have been appreciated by all.

So all I'll say is lubricated horse cocks. (Which was In the Loop in fairness)

'The Thick of It' to return this Autumn

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